Browse Past Events
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Pulse of Pennsylvania: Voter Insights Ahead of the Midterm Elections
October 21, 2026 6:00 pmThe Ethical Society
The Committee of Seventy and Franklin & Marshall College invite you to join us for a live event at the Ethical Society of Philadelphia for an in-depth, expert analysis of Pennsylvania politics. Committee of Seventy President and CEO Lauren Cristella will moderate a discussion with Berwood Yost, director of the Franklin & Marshall College Center…
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Poll Watcher Information Session
October 21, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:00 pmLearn more about what you can (and cannot) do as a poll watcher. In addition to those considering becoming poll watchers, this session is also open to poll workers, so they can learn about the people who might be working alongside them on Election Day.
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Poll Worker 101
October 20, 2026 12:00 pm – 1:00 pmThis information session will build on the required trainings provided by Pennsylvania counties, covering the basics of working the polls in Pennsylvania and giving additional details on important procedures. It is perfect for a first-time poll worker or experienced poll worker who wants to brush up on their knowledge.
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Poll Worker 101
October 19, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:00 pmThis information session will build on the required trainings provided by Pennsylvania counties, covering the basics of working the polls in Pennsylvania and giving additional details on important procedures. It is perfect for a first-time poll worker or experienced poll worker who wants to brush up on their knowledge.
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Poll Watcher Information Session
October 15, 2026 12:30 pm – 1:30 pmLearn more about what you can (and cannot) do as a poll watcher. In addition to those considering becoming poll watchers, this session is also open to poll workers, so they can learn about the people who might be working alongside them on Election Day.
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Poll Watcher Information Session
October 14, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:00 pmLearn more about what you can (and cannot) do as a poll watcher. In addition to those considering becoming poll watchers, this session is also open to poll workers, so they can learn about the people who might be working alongside them on Election Day.
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Poll Worker 101
October 13, 2026 12:00 pm – 1:00 pmThis information session will build on the required trainings provided by Pennsylvania counties, covering the basics of working the polls in Pennsylvania and giving additional details on important procedures. It is perfect for a first-time poll worker or experienced poll worker who wants to brush up on their knowledge.
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Poll Worker 101
October 12, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:00 pmThis information session will build on the required trainings provided by Pennsylvania counties, covering the basics of working the polls in Pennsylvania and giving additional details on important procedures. It is perfect for a first-time poll worker or experienced poll worker who wants to brush up on their knowledge.
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Donuts & Democracy
September 24, 2026 8:30 am – 12:00 pmThe Committee of Seventy Office
Start your morning with donuts, light refreshments, and a behind-the-scenes look at Philadelphia City Council. Join us for breakfast, a How City Council Works presentation, and a Q&A with our VP of Policy, Andrew McGinley, to learn how legislation moves through Council, what to watch for during the day’s meeting, and how residents can engage…
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Philadelphia Documenters Relaunch
August 26, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:30 pmPhiladelphia Ethical Society
Public meetings shape our schools, our streets, and the Philadelphia city budget. But right now, most of these meetings go completely unrecorded. The Philadelphia Documenters program is changing that. We train and pay everyday residents to attend public sessions, take accurate notes, and publish them so everyone knows what’s happening behind closed doors. Built on City Bureau’s…
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The Promise of Democracy Summit: 250 Years and the Path Ahead
July 15–16, 2026Philadelphia, PA
Thank you to everyone who attended our summit! In 2026, Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy, marked a pivotal milestone — the 250th anniversary of the United States. This momentous occasion called for a reflection on the nation’s democratic journey, from the ideals of equality and liberty embedded in the Declaration of Independence to the…
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Women in Public Leadership 2026
June 3, 2026 8:30 am – 10:30 amIgniting and Enduring: Trailblazers who Spark, Advance, and Protect Women’s Rights Join us for a morning of powerful conversation at the Committee of Seventy’s 5th annual Women in Public Leadership event, bringing together some of the region’s most dynamic voices on the front lines of women’s rights. This year’s panel will explore women’s leadership as…
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The Declaration on Trial
April 21, 2026 10:00 am – 11:30 amParkway Central Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
The Declaration of Independence helped launch a nation grounded in powerful ideals: equality, liberty, and self-government. At the same time, it reflected contradictions and exclusions that continue to shape American democracy today. Was the Declaration justified when it was written? And how should we understand it now? Join the Committee of Seventy, in partnership with…
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Breaking Down the Mayor’s Budget Address: What It Means for Philadelphia
April 16, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:00 pmVirtual, on Zoom
Philadelphia’s city budget shapes everything from housing and public safety to education, transit, and neighborhood services. Understanding how it works is key to making your voice heard on the priorities that matter most to you. Join us on Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m. for a webinar breaking down Mayor Cherelle Parker’s fiscal year 2027…
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Election Academy: Voter Registration
April 7–9, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:30 pmPhiladelphia City Commissioners’ Office – Riverview Place
As part of the Election Academy series, the Committee of Seventy and the Philadelphia City Commissioners’ Office are hosting two in-person classes focused on understanding voter registration in Philadelphia. Many organizations and volunteers regularly assist with voter registration, but the process involves specific requirements that are not always widely understood. When forms are submitted incorrectly…
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Election Academy: Understanding Vote By Mail
March 23–31, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:30 pmPhiladelphia Satellite Election Offices (various locations)
As part of the Election Academy series, the Committee of Seventy and the Philadelphia City Commissioners’ Office are hosting a set of in-person classes focused on understanding vote-by-mail in Philadelphia. Classes will take place inside Philadelphia’s Satellite Election Offices, giving participants the opportunity to see firsthand how these locations serve voters. At these offices, residents…
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Election Academy Kickoff: Election Administration & Warehouse Operations
March 21, 2026 10:30 am – 12:30 pmPhiladelphia Election Warehouse
Join the Committee of Seventy and the Philadelphia City Commissioners’ Office for the launch of the Election Academy, a new learning series on how elections are administered in Philadelphia. This kickoff event provides a behind-the-scenes look at election administration and warehouse operations. Participants will tour the facility where voting machines, electronic poll books, and other…
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Mayoral Budget Address Watch Party
March 12, 2026 11:00 am – 12:30 pmZoom, link available through registration.
Philadelphia’s budget shapes our daily lives. It determines how the city allocates funding for schools, public safety, housing, sanitation, parks, and neighborhood services. Join the Committee of Seventy, Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication, and the People’s Budget Office for a nonpartisan virtual watch party of the Mayor’s Budget Address. The program will…
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Civic Learning Week National Forum Kickoff Reception
March 8, 2026 5:30 pm – 7:30 pmJoin us as we kick off Civic Learning Week with a special reception inside Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, site of the nation’s first penitentiary. Connect with fellow educators over light bites and drinks, and explore how the site’s history connects to today’s urgent conversations about democracy. Register here. Plus… Engage with Eastern State staff on Mini…
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Understanding the State Budget: How Decisions are Made in Harrisburg
March 3, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:00 pmZoom, link available after registering
Pennsylvania’s state budget impacts everything, from public education and transportation to tax credits and social services, and you have a say in how it’s spent. Join us on Tuesday, March 3rd, at 6 p.m. for the second webinar in our series on the city and state budget process. We’ll explore Pennsylvania’s state budget as a…
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Understanding the City Budget: How Philadelphia Sets Priorities and Spends Your Money
February 24, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:00 pmOnline – Register for access
Philadelphia’s budget impacts everything — from schools and public safety to street repairs and parks — and you have a say in how it’s spent. Join us on Tuesday, February 24, at 6 p.m. for the second webinar in our series on the city and state budget process. We’ll explore the city budget as a…
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How to Run for Committee Person in Philadelphia: Virtual Training
February 12, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:00 pmVirtual, on Zoom.
Ever wonder who really holds power in Philadelphia politics? Join the Committee of Seventy for a practical breakdown of the city’s ward system – the behind-the-scenes structure that shapes elections, endorsements, and turnout – and learn how becoming a committee person is one of the simplest ways to get involved locally. This event includes a…
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How to Run for Committee Person in Philadelphia: In-Person Program
February 11, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:30 pmEver wonder who really holds power in Philadelphia politics? Join the Committee of Seventy for a practical breakdown of the city’s ward system – the behind-the-scenes structure that shapes elections, endorsements, and turnout – and learn how becoming a committee person is one of the simplest ways to get involved locally. Co-hosted by Young Involved…
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Launch Event: How to Run for Committee Person in Philadelphia
February 3, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:30 pmJoin the Committee of Seventy for the launch of a new civic education resource, How the Philadelphia Ward System Works — a clear, practical guide to how wards shape local politics and how residents can run for committee person. Co-hosted by Black Leadership Pennsylvania, the event will include a nonpartisan training on how to run…